South Africa prop Guthro Steenkamp suffered a badly broken arm in Currie Cup action on the weekend, ruling him out of the Springboks' end-of-year tour to Europe.

Steenkamp underwent surgery on Saturday evening after suffering the injury in the Bulls' thrilling 36-32 victory over Western Province.

The 31-times-capped Springbok joins fellow forward John Smit on the sidelines for the rest of the season after the Springbok captain was ruled out for three months recently after undergoing surgery to repair a chronic cervical disc.

Steenkamp will not be allowed to play rugby for between six to eight weeks and team doctor at the Bulls, Org Strauss, said: "Both pipes in his arm were broken. But the operation went well and I am confident that he will make a full recovery."

The world champions play Ireland in Dublin on November 6, followed by Tests against Wales, Scotland and England on each of the remaining weekends of next month, before ending the tour with a clash against the Barbarians at Twickenham on December 4.